The person before him wore white, making him conspicuous in the firelight. Coupled with that roguish smile, the man's brow immediately furrowed.
With such attire, such a smile, and such bearing, this person should not be ordinary, nor should they have been invited today!
Could it be that the commotion here had already alerted other local powers?
"Who are you?"
The man asked, his tone filled with doubt, not ordering his subordinates to attack first.
Ye Cangtian smiled helplessly and slowly walked to the pavilion. He poured himself a cup of tea and took a few sips.
"What kind of junk is this!"
Muttering, Ye Cangtian then looked at the man and said with annoyance, "You invited me here, and you don't even know who I am?"
Hmm?
Upon hearing this, the man's gaze swept over his subordinates outside the pavilion. They, too, looked bewildered.
Logically, this kind of person should not have been within their scope of investigation today.
Seeing this, the man gritted his teeth and said, "Since you've come, there's no need for a wasted trip. Please, have a spar with my subordinates!"
"Directly attack? That doesn't seem right. Shouldn't you at least tell me who you are?"
"As they say, you have to know whose dog you're hitting before you strike."
"If I happen to hit the wrong person, I don't have the money to pay for medical expenses!"
Ye Cangtian said playfully. Although the man's side was resorting to violence, he hadn't figured out the opponent's identity, nor the cause and effect, and didn't want to get involved unnecessarily, so it was better to clarify things.
"You're quite arrogant, kid!"
"I'm getting more and more interested in you!"
"As for my identity, if you want to know, you'll have to show me your skills!"
The man's expression turned grim, and he waved his hand.
His subordinates outside the pavilion immediately abandoned their current targets and rushed towards Ye Cangtian.
Clang, clang, clang...
Flashing blades and swords appeared. Those injured outside the pavilion clenched their fists, looking somewhat excited.
It was so satisfying. These men in black had just beaten them to the ground, and now they were being sent flying one by one. Retribution had come swiftly.
However, it had to be said that this man in white was truly strong.
Facing more than ten opponents alone, he had managed to knock them all away without any harm to himself.
Damn it! He was at least a Profound-tier master!
On the other side, the man under the pavilion's gaze grew heavy. He himself was only on the verge of reaching the Profound tier, and he probably wasn't a match for this person.
"How was it?"
"Is my strength enough?"
"Shouldn't you be revealing your identity now?"
Just then, a teasing voice came. Ye Cangtian had returned to the pavilion and sat down, taking a moment to light a cigarette and take a puff.
"I am Cui Jiu!"
"Today was likely a misunderstanding. I apologize here. Let's just let this matter pass, and perhaps we can be friends?"
The man hesitated for a moment, introducing himself while proactively pouring Ye Cangtian another cup of tea.
He felt uncertain!
If he had even a sliver of a chance of winning, he wouldn't be so subservient, abandoning all dignity.
As it stood, he could only try to trick the opponent for now, then report back and plan his next move.
Moreover, the opponent's unrestrained attacks and such strength suggested he was likely the one who eliminated the Eighth Squad.
"Cui Jiu? Someone from the Black Wind Sect?"
"It seems today was not a wasted trip!"
Ye Cangtian smiled. The mountain bandit he had dealt with earlier was named Cui Ba, and this one was Cui Jiu. Just by their names, they sounded like they belonged to the same group!
"You! You..."
"Are you the expert who eliminated the Eighth Squad?"
With that single sentence, Cui Jiu's eyes widened. Even if he were less intelligent, he would have understood by now.
Unintentionally, Cui Jiu started to sweat.
The moment the words left his mouth, he wanted to slap himself. This not only confirmed the opponent's identity but also admitted his own!
If the former were true, the opponent would have a reason to silence him, as no one wanted trouble.
And if the latter, the opponent would likely not let him go either, given the Black Wind Sect's current poor reputation. They were practically vermin!
"The Eighth Squad? Cui Ba?"
"And you are Cui Jiu. It seems you have at least nine squads!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, when these insects gather in numbers, it's never a good thing!"
Listening to Cui Jiu's words, Ye Cangtian muttered to himself, completely disregarding Cui Jiu's presence.
This scoundrel actually paid him no mind at all.
Damn it! I'm at least a peak Yellow-tier expert, and he...
Cui Jiu, while feigning nervousness on the outside, was seething with anger inwardly. He could only act this way.
There was no choice; he couldn't defeat the opponent.
"Little bug, there's no future in following the Black Wind Sect to be bandits!"
"How about this, I'll give you a chance to repent and reform."
"As long as you lead me to your lair, I'll let you go, how about that?"
Just then, Ye Cangtian exhaled a puff of smoke and looked at the other person with a faint smile.
"Impossible!"
Cui Jiu refused outright. The Black Wind Sect had its rules, and some rules were absolutely inviolable.
Such as betraying all one's fellow disciples was one of them, as it not only involved his own life but also implicated his family.
"Alas! Little bug, you must understand that the sea of suffering is boundless, and the shore is near for those who turn back!"
"If you don't think for yourself, you must also think for your family. How sad they will be to lose you!"
"Who will support your elderly parents, who will raise your descendants? Perhaps even your wife will fall into another man's hands. Do you think it's worth it..."
Ye Cangtian sighed, transforming into what seemed like an old monk, muttering incessantly, causing Cui Jiu a headache.
A warrior would rather die than be humiliated!
You're just relying on your strength to lecture me. It would be better to just kill me with a single blow!
Cui Jiu felt a surge of anger, but Ye Cangtian gave him no chance, continuing his endless prattling, more unbearable than ten thousand flies buzzing in his ears.
"Damn it, are you done with your incessant babbling!"
"My ears are about to grow calluses from listening to you!"
"Damn it, if you want to kill me, then do it! Stop wasting words!"
Finally, Cui Jiu couldn't endure the verbal assault any longer. His boundless rage made him forget his fear, and he drew his long sword.
"Oh, oh, oh, little bug, why are you becoming more disobedient?"
"Don't you have any self-awareness?"
"Are you just looking for death..."
Ye Cangtian looked at the furious Cui Jiu and continued to speak with a smile.
What the hell!
This guy was too ruthless!
Outside the pavilion, those who had been injured looked at Ye Cangtian with disdain.
How to describe this person?
Very strong, but just too wicked. He could have easily knocked them away with a single palm, but he insisted on lecturing them. It was terrifying to be his enemy...
"Damn it, I'm going to take your life!"
On the other side, Cui Jiu could bear it no longer. His long sword flashed like a rainbow, directly piercing Ye Cangtian's chest.
Even though he knew he was no match and the consequences of attacking might be death, it was still better than having ten thousand flies buzzing in his head.
"Alas!"
Ye Cangtian sighed deeply. His figure flashed, bypassing the long sword, and his large hand steadily grasped Cui Jiu's neck.
With a slight squeeze, he lifted Cui Jiu up.
Ugh...
Cui Jiu felt a chill spread through him. He knew he wasn't a match, but he hadn't expected to be dealt with so easily.
Now, even with his sword in hand, he dared not move, because he was absolutely no match for the opponent's speed. The moment he had moved, his neck would likely have already been shattered.